Advisory Group Seeks Greater Role in Forest Hills

The future of the Casey Overpass is just one of the development issues facing Forest Hills.

You can argue that no section of Jamaica Plain is facing more big development projects than Forest Hills. Chief among them is the Casey Overpass being razed in favor of a network of streets. Others include more than 100 condos and rentals on an MBTA-owned parcel near Forest Hills station and the bus yard finally moving.

The JP Neighborhood Council, a (mostly) elected advisory board, will debate taking a greater role in Forest Hills’ affairs when they meet Tuesday. Here’s the agenda item:

WHEREAS there are numerous transportation, public safety, development and zoning issues confronting residents and users of, and businesses in, the Forest Hills area; and,

WHEREAS these issue arise amidst the sometimes conflicting interests of MassDOT, DCR, the MBTA, relevant city of Boston departments, the BRA and the residents and users of, and businesses in, the Forest Hills area; and,

WHEREAS, the JPNC has the experience and expertise to represent the interests of the residents and users of, and businesses in, the Forest Hills area;

NOW THEREFORE, the JPNC, as a committee of the whole, and relying on the experience and expertise of both its Housing & Development and Zoning Committees, shall take a leadership and coordinating role in responding on behalf of the communities and neighborhoods affected by these complex issues and in the resolution of them in the best interests of all concerned.

The JPNC takes up this and other matters on Tuesday at 7 p.m. at Farnsworth House, 90 South St.

[Editor’s note: I’ll be making a short presentation about the Jamaica Plain News at the meeting.]

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An old building that once housed a garbage collection company on Burroughs Street, mere steps from Centre Street, was razed and will be replaced by a "boutique" 4-story mixed-use development. A "striking mixed-use new construction with two commercial storefronts and six residential urban flats, located in one of JP’s most cherished locations," is how Cedar Hill Design & Development described the project at 7 Burroughs St.

A new restaurant, Bar Orange, is planned for a Forest Hills spot that has had two restaurants fail in the last five years. The restaurant will be located at 3698 Washington St., which was previously home to the failed Tonic, and a second location for Grass Fed opened in 2016 and closed in 2017.

At Jamaica Plain’s 3rd Fixit Clinic this Saturday anyone is welcome to bring their broken household things and learn how to assess, disassemble and repair them instead of tossing them in the trash. The clinic is scheduled for Saturday, January 27th from 10 am to 1 pm at the Jamaica Plain Branch Library at 30 South Street.